Apparatus and method for continuous spooling

ABSTRACT

Apparatus and method are disclosed for continuously spooling flexible stock material onto a pair of take-up spools rotatably mounted with their axis in parallel relationship to each other. The stock material is spooled first onto one of the take-up spools and when it is filled the stock material is automatically transferred to the other take-up spool for spooling thereon without interruption of the spooling operation. The apparatus is specially constructed to dependably and reliably insure proper transfer of the stock material from one take-up spool to the other. For applications involving the spooling of insulated stock and the testing of the insulated stock for electrical defects as it is being fed to the take-up spools, the apparatus is provided with means for maintaining the linear rate of feed of the stock material substantially constant as the winding on each of the take-up spools takes place. Means are also provided for grounding the insulated cable to the apparatus.

United States Patent [191 Johnson et al.

[451 Sept. 24, 1974 APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR CONTINUOUS SPOOLING [75]Inventors: Frank B. Johnson, Middletown;

Theodore 0. Palm, North Haven, both of Conn.

[73] Assignee: Davis Electric Company,

Wallingford, Conn.

[22] Filed: May 18, 1972 [21] Appl. No.: 254,717

[52] US. Cl. 242/25 A, 242/75.5l

[51] Int. Cl B65h 54/02, B65h 54/44 [58] Field of Search 242/25, 75.51

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,223,906 12/1965 Dinger242/75.51 X

3,348,107 10/1967 Hamby 1 X 3,497,154 2/1970 Lasarev et a1.

3,535,441 10/1970 Grace 3,698,652 10/1972 Morikawa et al 242/25 A3,701,491 lO/l972 Brown 242/25 A Primary ExaminerJohn W. Huckert'Assistant Examiner-Milton S. Gerstein Attorney, Agent, or Firm--Pennie &Edmonds [5 7 ABSTRACT Apparatus and method are disclosed forcontinuously spooling flexible stock material onto a pair of take-upspools rotatably mounted with their axis in parallel relationship toeach other. The stock material is spooled first onto one of the take-upspools and when it is filled the stock material is automaticallytransferred to the other take-up spool for spooling thereon withoutinterruption of the spooling operation. The apparatus is speciallyconstructed to dependably and reliably insure proper transfer of thestock material from one take-up spool to the other, For applicationsinvolving the spooling of insulated stock and the testing of theinsulated stock for electrical defects as it is being fed to the take-upspools, the apparatus is provided with means for maintaining the linearrate of feed of the stock material substantially constant as the windingon each of the take-up spools takes place. Means are also provided forgrounding the insulated cable to the apparatus.

5 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures lHll 'i; all Y l PAIENIEMEPMH 3.37. 589

3| SIGNAL GENERATOR 2 {Z l COMPARATOR L SPINDLE DRIVE MOTORS APPARATUSAND METHOD FOR CONTINUOUS SPOOLING BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Thespooling of a predetermined length of wire or cable onto a take-up spoolhas, in the past, been a rather slow and tedious process involving theexpenditure of considerable time and effort and at considerable expenseto the manufacturer or processor of the wire or cable. This is dueprimarily to the shortage of adequately automated equipment capable ofuninterruptedly filling successive take-up spools at the required speednecessary for economical production. Some of the presently in-usemachines which purport to provide high speed spooling do not perform tothe extent necessary. These machines are generally automated only withrespect to the operation of spooling per se and do not provide forautomatic transfer of the wire or cable from a filled spool to an emptyspool without interrupting the spooling operation. With such machines afair amount of manual labor is necessary for replacing a filled spoolwith an empty one during which time the machine must be shut down. Inaddition, the time consumed in changing spools one at a time andsecuring the leading end of the cable in position for spooling on thenext empty spool adds to the production line cost and generally createsa bottleneck in the manufacturing process.

Other machines which do provide for automatic transfer generallyinclude, in construction, two or more spool receiving spindles betweenwhich transference of the stock is effected. One such machine, by way ofexample, includes a pair of spool receiving spindles mounted forrotation in spaced parallel relation to each other. Spooling takes placeon one spool at a time. However, when one spool is fully wound the stockis crossed over to the other spool for spooling thereon substantiallywithout interrupting the spooling operation. Such constructions havebeen found to be somewhat unreliable in operation. Oftentimes, propertransfer is not effected between the filled spool and the nextsucceeding empty spool thus necessitating shutdown of the machine whilethe situation is remedied.

In one particular winding application, by way of example, presentlyavailable spooling equipment has proved inadequate. This applicationinvolves the end phase of the manufacturing process for electrical cablewhere high speed spooling equipment is needed to package the wire orcable on spools for shipment to a customer. Just prior to the actualspooling operation, it is common to test the insulation of the cable forelectrical defects as it is being fed to the spooling equipment. Forthis purpose the cable is fed through an insulation testing device. Therate oftravel through this device must be maintained constant ifaccurate testing is to be accomplished. Also, since electrical currentmust be passed through the cable for testing as it moves through theinsulation tester the cable must be electrically grounded at all times.Heretofore the achievement of electrical grounding has not beensatisfactorily obtained with prior art winding equipment.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with teachings of the presentinvention there is provided automatic spooling apparatus and method ofgeneral utility and dependability for continuously filling take-upspools with flexible stock material, such as wire or cable, one afterthe other in substantially uninterrupted fashion. In construction, thewinding apparatus included a frame and a spindle support member mountedon the frame. A pair of spindles are rotatably mounted on the supportmember with their axes of rotation disposed in spaced parallelrelationship. A take-up spool is removably mounted on each spindle to berotatable therewith. Each spindle is provided with a drive means torotate the spindle and draw the stock from a guide means on to thecorresponding take-up spool which rotates with the spindle.

The guide means includes a carriage which is mounted for lateralmovement with respect to both take-up spools between a wind-on positionfor one of the spools and a cross-over position for the other spool. Theguide means further includes a distributor which is mounted for lateralmovement with the carriage and for reciprocal movement with respect tothe carriage. Reciprocal movement of the distributor takes place in adirection extending axially of the respective take-up spool between theconfines of the end flanges thereof. This reciprocal movement-of thecarrier effects spooling of the stock in uniform layers of successiveconvolutions about the core of the take-up spool which extends betweenthe end flanges thereof.

The apparatus further includes a specially constructed snaggingmechanism which functions to snag, anchor and electrically ground thestock with respect to the corresponding take-up spool during transfer ofthe stock thereto from the filled spool. The snagging element includes agripping element which is rotatable with the corresponding spindle andis positioned adjacent to one of the end flanges of the take-up spoolmounted on such spindle. Associated with the gripping element is aseries of sharpedge teeth which act to pierce the insulation of anelectrical cable thus effecting electrical contact with the apparatusacting as a ground.

The construction further includes selectively operable switch means forstopping the reciprocal movement of the distribut or during transfer ofthe stock between a filled and an empty spool. Selectively operable andcooperatively acting deflection means are provided for each take-upspool to move the stock into a cross-over position and hold it in suchposition for engagement with the gripping element associated with theempty spool during angular displacement thereof. The switch means andthe deflection means cooperate to advantageously position the stock fordependable and reliable engagement with the gripping element.

For applications involving heavy stock, a cutting means positionedalongside the path of angular displacement of each gripping element isprovided for severing the stock as it passes by the cutting elementunder the influence of the gripping element to which it is anchored.

The construction further includes control means for sequentiallyactivating the guide means, switch means, and deflection means inproperly timed order. And, for applications which involve the electricaltesting of the stock prior to spooling means are provided formaintaining the linear speed of the stock relatively constant duringwinding.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a front elevation view ofthe winding apparatus of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a side elevation view of the winding apparatus of the presentinvention;

FIG. 3 is a top plan view as viewed along a direction indicated byarrows 3 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a diagrammatic illustration of the circuitry used to controlthe linear speed of the stock;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the snagging mechanism taken alongthe lines 55 of FIG. 3, and

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the snagging mechanism taken alongthe lines 6-6 of FIG. 5.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The spooling apparatus of thepresent invention comprises a main frame 1 which has a support member 2.Mounted on the support member 2 are spool stands 3 which rotatablysupport cantilever spindles disposed with their axes in spaced parallelrelation to each other. Each spindle is adapted to removably receivetake-up spools 4 onto which flexible stock such as electrical wire orcable is to be wound.

Each spindle includes a flange element 5 and a shaft 6 for mounting atake-up spool 4. The flange element is provided with a recessed annularsurface 5a for receiving the rear flange 18a of take-up spool 4. Theflange element 5 has a gripping element 7 secured to its outermostannular rim portion 8 which is defined by a beveled surface 9. As shownmost clearly in FIGS. 5 and 6, the gripping element and the beveledsurface define a generally V-shaped stock receiving groove which tapersin a direction generally opposite to the direction of rotation of theflange 5 which is indicated by arrows 10d in FIGS. 1 and 6. The stockreceiving groove 10 functions to snag and anchor the flexible stock inrelation to the respective spool by a wedging action. Mounted on thebeveled surface 9 opposite the gripping element 7 is an electricalgrounding means in the form of a block 10a having a series of sharpedgedteeth 10!) each of which is flanked by a flat 100. The teeth extendgenerally tangetially to the rim of the flange element 5 and generallytransverse to the longitudinal axis of the stock engaged by the grippingelement. When wedged in the groove 10 the cable is engaged on oppositesides by the gripping element 7 and the flats 10c of teeth 10b with theteeth piercing the insulation of the stock to make contact with the coreS of the stock thus providing electrical contact with the spoolingapparatus. In addition to their primary function of providing electricalcontact as above described, the teeth serve the ancillary function ofassisting the gripping element to snag and anchor the stock although theteeth are not necessary for this purpose.

Each spindle is provided with a spindle drive motor M which isoperatively connected to the shaft 6 of the spindle via an endless belt11 directed around pulley l2 fitted to shaft 6. Each spindle drive motoris electrically connected to the output terminals of comparator circuitwhich operates to maintain the linear travel speed of the stockrelatively constant during spooling. The operation of the comparatorcircuit will be described more fully hereinafter in connection with theoperation of the apparatus.

For spooling the stock onto the take-up spools guide means are provided.The guide means is adapted to lead the continuous stock uniformly insuccessive convolutions onto each of the take-up spools and to shift thestock from a wind-on distribution path for one of the take-up spools toa cross-over distribution path from which path the stock is transferredto the other take-up spool for spooling thereon. In the constructionshown, the guide means comprises a carriage member 13 slidably mountedon bar 14 and a distributor 15 mounting a pair of guide rollers 16between which the stock passes.

For the purpose of distributing the stock uniformly onto the take-upspools the distributor 15 is coupled by piston rod 17 to a hydrauliccylinder 17a. When actuated, the hydraulic cylinder operates toreciprocally move the distributor 15 with respect to the carriage 13axially of the take-up spools between the confines of the front and rearspool flanges 18a and 18b secured to the ends of the core 19 of thetake-up spools. Such movement of the carrier effects spooling of thestock, in layers of uniform turns, about the core 19, between the endflanges 18a and 18b. A switch actuator 17]) is mounted on the end ofpiston rod 17 to actuate reversing switches S6 and S7 which are" part ofthe electrical control circuitry of the apparatus. The switches S6 andS7 are connected to the carriage 13 via cylinder 17a and thus move withthe carriage 13. Switch S7 has two modes of operation. In its first modeit acts to reverse the direction of rod 17. In its second mode switch S7acts to stop reciprocal movement of distributor 15 and to actuate aircylinder 23 the purpose of which will be more fully explainedhereinafter. Switch S6 has only a single mode of operation. That is, itacts only to reverse the direction of piston rod 17.

For the purpose of shifting the stock between its windon distributionpath and its cross-over distribution path, the carriage 13 is threadedlysupported on a drive shaft 20. Shaft 20 is mounted for rotation bybearings 21 and is driven by a reversible motor M, responsive to themaster control circuit. When driven, the drive shaft 20 acts tolaterally move the carriage 13 and thus the distributor 15 between awind-on position for one of the take-up spools and a cross-over positionfor the other take-up spool. With reference to FIG. 1, the carriage anddistributor are shown by solid lines for the windon position for theright-hand take-up spool while the carriage and distributor in theircross-over position for the left-hand take-up spool are shown by phantomlines.

For transferring the stock from the full take-up spool to the emptytake-up spool for spooling thereon, means are provided for moving thestock into a cross-over position in which position it is acted upon bythe gripping element associated with the empty take-up spool. This meansincludes a deflector for each take-up spool in the form of an upstandingfinger 23. As shown, each finger is slidably mounted on a cantilevertrack 25. The track 25 extends alongside the adjacent take-up spoolacross the corridor defined by the various paths of distribution whichthe stock takes during spooling as a result of the reciprocal movementof the distributor 15 in a direction generally transverse to thiscorridor. The outer end of the track 25, which defines the extendedposition of the finger element 23, is located on one side of thiscorridor while the other end, which defines the retracted position offinger 23, is located on the opposite side of this corridor slightlybehind and closely adjacent to the gripping element 7 on the flangeelement of the adjacent spool receiving spindle. Each finger isconnected by a rod to an air cylinder 23' which is responsive to theelectrical control circuit of the apparatus which in addition to switchS7 includes switches S8, S10 and S9, S11 positioned at opposite ends ofthe respective tracks 25. The air cylinder provides the driving forcefor moving the finger on its supporting guide track 25.

A cutting element 24 is fixedly mounted in a position out of the stockdistribution paths corridors and between each finger 23 and the adjacentgripping element 7. In such position each cutting element cooperateswith its respective finger in severing the stock, if necessary, afterthe stock has been engaged by the gripping element.

Mounted upstream of the rollers 16 on frame 1 are a pair of uprightguide rollers 26, a support roll 27 and a pair of pinch rollers 28, 29arranged vertically with respect to each other. Downstream of therollers 28, 29 is a pulley 30, around which the stock is guided beforepassing between the rollers 16. The upper pinch roller 28 is springloaded to urge the stock passing under it into contact with the lowerpinch roller under a constant pressure. With this arrangement slippagebetween the stock and the lower pinch roller is avoided.

The lower pinch roller is operatively connected by means of an endlesschain and sprocket arrangement to a signal generator indicated generallyby reference numeral 31 in FIG. 1. The signal generator is of the typewhich generates a signal indicative of the linear speed of the stockthrough the pinch rollers. In the preferred construction, the signalgenerator consists of a tachometer which emits a signal indicative ofthe speed of rotation of the lower pinch roller from which signal thelinear speed, in feet per minute, of the stock can be calibrated. Thesignal emitted by the signal generator, which is herein referred to asthe feedback voltage Vf, is fed to the electronic comparator circuitwhere it is used in conjunction with other signals to maintain thelinear speed of the stock relatively constant during winding.

In operation of the apparatus, the flexible stock is fed from a storageroll (not shown), through the upstanding guide rollers 26, over thesupport roller 27, and then through the pinch rollers 28 and 29. Inapplications where the electrical insulation of the stock is to betested before winding on the spools, the stock is fed from the storageroll through an insulation testing device of conventional constructionjust prior to entering between guide rollers 26. From pinch rollers 28,29, the stock is directed around the pulley 30 through the guide rollers16 on he distributor onto the spool on which it is to be wound. With theleading end of the stock anchored on the flange element of theright-hand spindle, by wedging it into the V-shaped groove 10, theapparatus will wind the stock in uniform turns on this s ool.

The power to the various drives is turned on whereby the right-handspindle begins rotating and the carriage begins its reciprocal back andforth movement between the end flanges of the take-up spool. Under thismovement, stock is spooled in layers of uniform convolutions about thecore or barrel of the right-hand take-up spool. As layers of stock beginto build up on the takeup spool the linear speed of the stock will tendto increase. As mentioned above, this is undesirable in applicationswhere the electrical integrity of the stock is being tested as it is fedto the spooling apparatus. In order to maintain the linear rate of feedsubstantially constant during winding, he drive motor for each spindleis, as mentioned previously, connected to the output terminals of thecomparator circuit, which is shown diagrammatically in FIG. 4 byreference numeral 40. As shown, the input terminals 41 of the comparatorcircuit are connected to the signal generator 31 which emits a feedbackvoltage V, and to a control voltage source which emits a referencevoltage V,. As mentioned previously, the signal emitted by the signalgenerator 31 is indicative of the linear speed of the stock at a pointof passage through the pinch rollers 28, 29.

When V; equals V,, the rotational speed of the spindle is at its propervalue. When V, becomes greater than V, due to the build-up of stock onthe take-up spool, the comparator circuit acts to restore theequilibrium condition where V, equals V The comparator circuit thusoperates in this manner to automatically maintain the linear speed ofstock substantially constant. Of course, it is to be recognized thatboth spindle drive motors are responsive to the output of the comparatorcircuit. Thus, the linear speed of stock is maintained substantiallyconstant during winding on either spool.

When the first spool is nearly full, the finger 23 adjacent theleft-hand take-up spool is moved from its retracted position to itsextended position as shown by phantom lines in FIG. 2 where it is out ofthe stock distribution corridor. This movement of the finger occurssimultaneously with the starting of the empty (lefthand) spool. Onleaving its retracted position, this finger releases switch S11 whichinitiates circuitry that insures both spools remain running in theirproper mode during the cross-over sequence. On reaching its extendedposition, the finger trips switch S9 which initiates circuitry whichstarts motor M thus activating threaded drive screw 20. In response, thecarriage 13 and distributor 15 begin movement to the extreme outsideposition (cross-over position) opposite the empty left-hand spool. Thiscross-over position, which is shown by phantom lines in FIG. 1, is theposition where the stock will be crossed over or transferred to theempty take-up spool. In such position it will be seen the path ofdistribution of the stock to the right-hand or full spool forms atangent with the barrel or core 19 of the empty or left-hand spool.

As the carriage 13 passes the center of the machine, a position switchS5 is operated. This switch indicates that the carriage is moving to theopposite side of the machine and sets up circuitry, which although notimmediately operable, insures proper future sequence of operations.

When the carriage arrives at its cross-over position, a safety switch S4is tripped which stops the carriage until a manual or automatic signalis received indicating the cross-over operation is to be continued. Uponreceipt of such a signal the switch S7 is converted to its second modeof operation. Thus the next time switch S7 is tripped the distributor 15is brought to rest or stopped along the inner border of the distributioncorridor. This inner border is defined by an imaginary line lying in theplane containing the rear spool flange 18a which abuts against therecessed surface 5a of flange element of the corresponding spindle. Thestopped position of the distributor represents its cross-over positionand is shown by the solid lines in F lG. 2. Simultaneously with stoppingof distributor 15 the previously extended finger 23 is signalled toreturn to its retracted position where switch S11 is reclosed signallingthe full spool (right-hand spool) to stop.

As finger 23 is moved to its retracted position the stock is caused tobe deflected into the position shown in FIG. 3 where it will be seen thestock is directed along a path running across the rear flange 18a of thetake-up spool, back across and closely adjacent to the beveled surface 9of the flange 5, around behind finger 23 adjacent the empty (left-hand)take-up spool and in front of the finger 23 adjacent the full(right-hand) take-up spool. As shown, the adjacent finger 23advantageously acts to keep the stock out of the path of movement of thegripping element mounted on flange associated with the full take-upspool so that the stock is not inadvertently resnagged to the fullspool. During the short time period in which the stock is held in thisposition, the flange element associated with the empty spool movesthrough a partial revolution and the V-shaped stock receiving groove onits outer rim engages the stock thereby causing it to become anchoredand grounded (if the stock is electrical cable) to the spindle flange bya wedging action previously described. Upon continued angulardisplacement of the spindle flange the anchored stock is brought sharplyto bear against the knife edge of the associated cutting element 24thereby severing the stock. For light weight stock the cutting element24 is not necessary since the continued rotation of the gripping elementafter the stock has been snagged will apply sufficient tension to thestock to result in breakage thereof at some point between the grippingelement and the full spool.

Reclosing of switch S11 also signals resumption of the normal reciprocalmovement of the distributor l5 and movement of the carriage to itswind-on position with respect to the left-hand take-up spool whereswitch S3 is tripped stopping carriage 13. The wind-on position for theleft-hand spool is slightly to the right of the left-hand take-up spool.When the second spool is nearly full, the operation will be repeated asabove described in the opposite direction as determined by the positionof center switch S5 previously mentioned. When transferring the stockfrom the left-hand spool to the right-hand spool the switches S1, S2, S8and S10 perform the same functions as switches S3, S4, S9 and S11,respectively, previously mentioned. With the construction shown, filledtake-up spools are manually removed from the corresponding spindle andan empty spool is manually replaced thereon for subsequent fill- Weclaim:

I. In a machine for continuously spooling insulated electrical stockmaterial having an electrically conductive core and an outernon-conductive insulation, said machine having a pair of rotatablespindles disposed in spaced apart, parallel relationship for mountingtakeup spools, each of said spools having a flange at one end, asnagging means comprising a gripping element mounted on the flange ofeach spindle and defining with said flange a generally taperedstock-receiving groove operable to receive an anchor stock by a wedgingaction, a carriage mounted for movement laterally of the take-up spoolsbetween a wind-on position for one take-up spool and a cross-overposition for the other take-up spool at which latter position the stockis transferred to the other take-up spool for spooling thereon, adistributor member mounted for reciprocal movement axially of thetake-up spools between the inner and outer end flanges thereof to applythe stock in uniform layers of successive convolutions about the take-upspools, and spindle drive means for rotating each spindle to spool thestock from the distributor onto the corresponding take-up spool, theimprovement which comprises:

a. a series of teeth defining one side of said stockreceiving groove,said teeth having sharp edges extending in the direction of the taper ofsaid groove andtransversely to the axis of the insulated electricalstock material wedged in said groove for slicing through the outerinsulation on the stock material and into contact with the electricallycoductive core as the stock material is wedged into said groove.

2. The improvement according to claim 1 wherein:

a. said teeth are disposed on the flange of the spool opposite thegripping element of said snagging means.

3. The im rovement according to claim 2 wherein:

a. each oi said teeth is generally V-shaped in crosssection with thesharp edge thereof defined by the apex of the V; and

b. each of said teeth is provided with a flat facing the sharp edge andspaced therefrom for engaging with and gripping one side of the outerinsulation of the stock material as the latter is wedged into thestock-receiving groove and engaged and gripped on its opposite side bythe gripping element of the snagger.

4. In a method for continuously spoolin insulated electrical stockmaterial onto take-up spoo s mounted on a pair of rotatable spindlesdisposed and spaced in parallel relationship to each other, said stockmaterially having an electrically conductive core and an outernon-conductive insulation and each spindle having snagger means mountedfor movement therewith and defining therewith a generally taperedstock-receiving groove operable to receive and anchor the stock by awedging action for transferring the stock to the corresponding take-upspool from the other spool without stopping the rotation of thecorresponding spindle, said method including the steps of directing thestock along a wind-on distributing path for one of said take-up spoolsfor spooling thereon, moving the stock reciprocally in an axialdirection with respect to said one takeup spool in order to apply thestock uniformly in layers of successive convolutions onto said onetake-up spool, directing the stock along a cross-over path for the otherof said take-u spools as the one take-up s 001 becomes full, an snaggingthe stock onto the ot er takeup spool at a predetermined point alon itslength as it is completing its winding on the one ta e-up spool fortransferring the stock to the other take-up spool for s ooling thereonwhen said one take-up spool is full, t e improvement which com rises thestep of:

a. piercing the insulation 0 the stock material at said point along itslength where it is snagged and simultaneously with the snagging thereof,said piercing being effected by means carried by said spindle to placesaid means in electrical contact with the conductive core of said stockmaterial.

5. The improvement according to claim 1 wherein:

a. said piercing is effected by the step of slicing through theinsulation on the stock material, said slicing being in a directiongenerally transverse to the longitudinal axis of said stock material andparallel to the direction of movement of the stock material into saidstool: re cei ling groove.

1. In a machine for continuously spooling insulating electrical stockmaterial having an electrically conductive core and an outernon-conductive insulation, said machine having a pair of rotatablespindles disposed in spaced apart, parallel relationship for mountingtake-up spools, each of said spools having a flange at one end, asnagging means comprising a gripping element mounted on the flange ofeach spindle and defining with said flange a generally taperedstock-receiving groove operable to receive an anchor stock by a wedgingaction, a carriage mounted for movement laterally of the take-up spoolsbetween a wind-on position for one take-up spool and a cross-overposition for the other take-up spool at which latter position the stockis transferred to the other take-up spool for spooling thereon, adistributor member mounted for reciprocal movement axially of thetake-up spools between the inner and outer end flanges thereof to applythe stock in uniform layers of successive convolutions about the take-upspools, and spindle drive means for rotating each spindle to spool thestock from the distributor onto the corresponding take-up spool, theimprovement which comprises: a. a series of teeth defining one side ofsaid stock-receiving groove, said teeth having sharp edges extending inthe direction of the taper of said groove and transversely to the axisof the insulated electrical stock material wedged in said groove forslicing through the outer insulation on the stock material and intocontact with the electrically coductive core as the stock material iswedged into said groove.
 2. The improvement according to claim 1wherein: a. said teeth are disposed on the flange of the spool oppositethe gripping element of said snagging means.
 3. The improvementaccording to claim 2 wherein: a. each of said teeth is generallyV-shaped in cross-section with the sharp edge thereof defined by theapex of the V; and b. each of said teeth is provided with a flat facingthe sharp edge and spaced therefrom for engaging with and gripping oneside of the outer insulation of the stock material as the latter iswedged into the stock-receiving groove and engaged and gripped on itsopposite side by the gripping element of the snagger.
 4. In a method forcontinuously spooling insulated electrical stock material onto take-upspools mounted on a pair of rotatable spindles disposed and spaced inparallel relationship to each other, said stock materially having anelectrically conductive core and an outer non-conductive insulation andeach spindle having snagger means mounted for movement therewith anddefining therewith a generally tapered stock-receiving groove operableto receive anD anchor the stock by a wedging action for transferring thestock to the corresponding take-up spool from the other spool withoutstopping the rotation of the corresponding spindle, said methodincluding the steps of directing the stock along a wind-on distributingpath for one of said take-up spools for spooling thereon, moving thestock reciprocally in an axial direction with respect to said onetake-up spool in order to apply the stock uniformly in layers ofsuccessive convolutions onto said one take-up spool, directing the stockalong a cross-over path for the other of said take-up spools as the onetake-up spool becomes full, and snagging the stock onto the othertake-up spool at a predetermined point along its length as it iscompleting its winding on the one take-up spool for transferring thestock to the other take-up spool for spooling thereon when said onetake-up spool is full, the improvement which comprises the step of: a.piercing the insulation of the stock material at said point along itslength where it is snagged and simultaneously with the snagging thereof,said piercing being effected by means carried by said spindle to placesaid means in electrical contact with the conductive core of said stockmaterial.
 5. The improvement according to claim 1 wherein: a. saidpiercing is effected by the step of slicing through the insulation onthe stock material, said slicing being in a direction generallytransverse to the longitudinal axis of said stock material and parallelto the direction of movement of the stock material into said stockreceiving groove.